Gas engineering is an exciting career with plenty of business opportunities available. It is also a highly skilled work when it comes to installation, repair and maintenance of gas appliances and pipework which needs to be completed by an approved engineer. Becoming a Gas Safe Registered engineer shows your customers that you are working legally, you are safe to work with gas and you are committed to providing the highest level of service.
Gas Safe is an industry recognised qualification to ensure every engineer works safely and in line with the industry standards. It is reported that more than one million homes in the UK are put at risk each year by illegal fitters carrying out unsafe work… According to the Gas Safe Register, 3 in 5 appliances were in an unsafe condition and 1 in 5 appliances were so dangerous that they needed to be disconnected immediately!
Showing customers your ID card and informing them of your Gas Safe credentials raises awareness of the importance of hiring approved engineers.
To be a Gas Engineer you are legally required to register with the Gas Safe Register and it is to protect homeowners, tenants and business owners from the potential dangers of unsafe gas work. The Gas Safe Register investigates any reports of illegal gas work before passing their findings on to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Why become a Gas Safe Engineer?
Becoming a part of the Gas Safe Registers demonstrates your competence to potential clients and as a member, you also receive many great benefits. The need for gas workers is currently in shortage, The Commission for Employment and Skills have found a 43% skilled worker shortage in the gas industry so the need for Gas Engineers is definitely in demand!
Becoming a part of The Gas Safe Register will also improve your business visibility as you will be a listed company on the Register plus Gas Safe are a leading provider on industry advancements, keeping you up to date with the industry.
The benefits of being Gas Safe Registered
The Gas Safe Register is a great support for businesses in the gas industry, providing you with many benefits such as:
- Technical support
You will gain access to the register’s team of expert engineers who will be on hand to support you with any advice or assistance you might need. This could be the extra reassurance that you need when starting out on your own.
You will also have access to over 80 key industry standards at a reduced cost, and an online portal where you can manage your registration, latest technical bulletins, industry updates and safety alerts.
- Business visibility
The Gas Safe Register receives over one million web searches each year which can be a massive source of potential sales for your business. In today’s world of business, the online marketplace is more important than ever for modern businesses.
When you become a member of the Gas Safe Register, you will be allowed to use their logo for your own marketing material such as your website, uniforms and vehicle printing. This makes your business instantly creditable as an approved and registered gas engineer.
- Customer safety
When it comes to gas appliances and pipework, the customer safety should be of the highest priority and being Gas Safe Registered reinforms the customer of this.
As a part of the Gas Safe Register you will receive an ID card which you can show your customer before carrying out any work. It will show your unique business number, licence card and will show what type of gas work you are qualified to carry out. Your licence card will be reissued each year, with a new license number to keep the register as up to date as possible.
The licence number on the card can be checked with the Gas Safety Register so you can see if any engineers are falsely claiming they are on the register. It is always recommended to show you are registered as your customers may not always ask.
- Notification
Gas Safe has a convenient notification system where details can be provided for the Building Regulation Compliance Certificate which is completed by the registered business that installs/commissions the gas appliance. This document should be kept for future reference.
How do I join the Gas Safe Register?
To join the Gas Safe Register as an approved gas engineer you will be required to have certain qualifications, pay the registration fee and complete the probation period.
The qualifications you will need are:
- Core Domestic Gas Safety Qualification (CCN1 or COCN1)
- Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS)
The ACS only lasts for up to 5 years so you will need to be assessed in order to retain your qualification. This is to keep you up to date with the industry advancements and so you can remain on the Gas Safe register.
The qualifications can be completed in around 16 weeks if you have experienced in the industry.
If you are new to the industry you could consider taking some college courses or an apprenticeship to get you an overall understanding on what to experience before working towards the Gas Safe Registration.
A Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating, a Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Natural Gas Installation or a Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance is some good examples of where you can begin your journey.
How much does it cost to join the Gas Safe Register?
The Gas Safe Register fee can be quite expensive depending on how many employees you have. The first time registration for one engineer is £347 +VAT.
As a part of your registration you will be required to provide:
Business contact details
National Insurance Number
Payment details
The application process is quite straightforward, you will need the required qualification and you will be able to apply online, or download the application and return it by post. Gas Safe Registration lasts 12 months and you can renew at any time in the eight weeks before your membership is due to expire.
For every year after the cost is reduced to £157 +VAT.
What Is The Probation Period?
Once you have completed the Gas Safe Register process, you will have to undertake a compulsory 3 month probation period. Throughout the 3 months, you will be required to report back to Gas Safe, keeping records of all work undertaken and informing once completed.
It is very important to remember that you should not register until you intend to start carrying out gas work. The consequence of this is if you are not able to provide evidence of gas work during the probationary period, you will face a suspension. If your work is not up to the required level, your probation period can be extended.
If you fail to comply, Gas Safe will suspend your registration.
If you complete the probation period then you have finished the registration process and are now a recognisable gas engineer.
if you need any help regarding Gas Safe then contact us here.
Frequently asked questions
This article has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business or before taking action in relation to any of the provided content.
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Written by the team at:
Construction Insider
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